Deep Water

The deep water or open ocean is divided into several layers based on the overall depth. The top layer is called the epipelagic zone which starts from the surface to a depth of 200m. Thereafter lies the mesopelagic, bathypelagic and abbysopelagic zones.

The epipelagic, sunlit, or euphotic zone is the top layer of the ocean zones. This is the ideal place for about 90 percent of all ocean life to live because of warm temperatures and sunlight that goes down about 660 feet. This is the only zone to support plant life because it has the light needed for photosynthesis, which is important because it produces a lot of oxygen and some carbon. Because of the variety in plant life there is a variety of animals including sharks, tuna, seals, jellyfish, sea turtles, sting rays, and much more! Though there are a lot of plants, there are not very many places to hide.

Deep waters in the Mamanucas may fall to a depth of 20 to 30 meters on average, and is home to deep water fishes that inhabit the channels and countless coral bommies utilized by our local dive operators.